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'Anchorman 2' is Officially in the Works

A followup to 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was starting to look like it could be one of those long-rumored comedy sequels that's always discussed with enthusiasm by the potential cast and crew, but is seemingly never actually going to happen (Ghostbusters 3, looking at you). The film did teeter on the edge of getting the green light from Paramount about two years ago, but plunged back into development hell thereafter - and seemed doomed to stay there, until very recently.

Needless to say, those clamoring for Anchorman 2 were pleasantly surprised when star Will Ferrell showed up in character as Ron Burgundy (complete with his trusty jazz flute in hand/mouth) on last night's Conan - not only to put on a bit of a show and mock the host, but also to confirm that an Anchorman sequel is indeed on the way after all.

For those who missed it, here's the video of Ferrell's Burgundy shenanigans on Conan (fair warning: there's some discussion of Burgundy's... ahem, "jazz flute," so consider this video mildly NSFW):

Anchorman's central comedic ensemble cast (including Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, David Koechner and Paul Rudd) have all previously said they're very much game for a sequel - which, ironically, is part of the reason the project hasn't come to fruition yet, as all of the aforementioned stars are now much bigger, busier, and more costly names than they were back in 2004. Hence, Paramount's been cautious about moving ahead with Anchorman 2, especially because of the substantial increase in costs to cover the cast's collective salary alone.

However, most members of the main Anchorman acting crew have already been quite vocal about their willingness to take a paycheck cut in order for this flick to actually happen. Combine that with the continual demand from fans - which has prevented the project from collapsing completely at any point - and it's not so shocking that Paramount has finally fully warmed up to the idea of a second round of wackiness with Burgundy and his loyal news team.

Anchorman helmer/co-writer Adam McKay is expected to return for the sequel, which was previously being trumped up as a "bigger, crazier" affair that picks up with Ron and Co. in the 1980s - while also sending up the decade's political atmosphere, fashion and general zeitgeist in a manner similar to the way the first film poked fun at the '70s. Suffice it to say, for the time being, we're hopeful the sequel can bottle (comical) lightning again like its predecessor.

We will be sure to keep you posted on the status of Anchorman 2 as the story develops. You can step out of your glass case of emotion now...